The school district in our area is called the Lucia Mar Unified School District. Recently 229 teachers and staff were given pink slips. Not all these people will necessarily be laid off, but the way I understand it there is a deadline by which, anyone who may be laid off for the next school year, must be notified. One of these teachers is last year's Teacher of the Year, another has 30 years experience and several have over 20 years experience.
The district used something called a point-scale system rather than a seniority system. Layoffs were based on seniority, credentials, certification to teach English language learners (also known as CLAD), and whether their position could be eliminated. Many of the teachers said they were not aware that they were required to have CLAD certification. About 80 of the pinked teachers lacked this certification.
CLAD is required by state law.
Union representatives turned down a suggested 5% pay cut for all district employees. This would have raised close to $3 million dollars. Many of the students at the 3 high schools in the district held protests between the 5th and 6th periods in support of their teachers.
Another school district in Templeton that had turned down a contract offer in the fall, has changed its tune and voted to accept the last offer in light of what's happened in other districts. Good move - may be too little too late. We'll see.
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